Rotary-rod weeder



April 30, 1929, LARGENT ET AL 1,710,881

ROTARY ROD WEEDER Filed Aug. 4, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR J11 agent,

ttefa ATTORNEY April 1929- R. M. LARGENT .EVT AL 1,710,881

ROTARY ROD WEEDER Filed Aug. 4, 1927 2 SheeQs-Sheet I ENTQR JR 6121!. l. ma ma.

ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 30, *1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

. RALEIGH M. LARGENT, OF WAIJLA WALLA, AND LOUIS C. VAN PATTEN, O1 CHENEY,

WASHINGTON, ASSIGNORS TO CHENEY WEEDER COMPANY, OF GHENE'Q WASH- INGTON, A CORPORATION OF WASHINGTON.

BO'LII'AIELY-{ROID- WEEDER.

Application filed August 4, 1927. Serial No. 210,626.

()ur invention relates in general to the art of agriculture and it specifically relates to and supporting wheels.

that branch of the art having to do with the extermination of weeds.

The invention has for an object to provide a weeder of a generally well known type (rotary rod) with means to facilitate the entry of the rod into the ground, the maintaining of the rod in proper position beneath the surface of the ground and the provision of means by which the rod may be adjusted to various depths with ease and dispatch.

Further, it is an object to provide such a wccder with a peculiar draft appliance by the use of which a material increase in the downward component of force tending to sink the rotary rodbeneath the surface is obtained without the necessity of adding weight to the machine.

Again it isan object to provide a weeder of the type mentioned in which provision is made whereby by simply manipulating the lever that adjusts the depth of the rod, the line of draft can be so located with. the rod out of the ground that in drawing the machine over the ground to transport it from field to field the draft pull will tend to exert an upward component of force or lift to the front and heavier part of the machine, thereby preventing the driving and supporting wheels from digging in or tending to sink into soft ground, and consequently facilitating the transportation of the machine from place to place.

Further it is an object of said invention to provide a weeder, the rotary rod of which is supported to the rear of the axis of the driving and supporting wheels and the point of draft application is located to the rear of the rotary rod and below the axis of the driving Still further it is an dbject of the invention to provide a weeder comprising a main frame supported by the driving and supporting wheels to which is secured a tiller frame supported at one end b a tiller wheel or tiller wheels and at the ot er end is pivotally con.- nected to the main frame at the rear of the traction and supporting wheels. axis. The tiller frame and tliemain frame also have a lever and link connection at a place remote from the pivotal connection whereby the I main frame may beinclined-with respect to the tiller frame, and means are associated and combined with the aforesaid structure for applying the traction pull to the same at a point in the rear of'the driving and supporting wheels axis for the purpose of increasing the force tending to cause the rod to sink into the ground and maintain it in proper location beneath the surface.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out hereinafter.

To the attainment of the aforesaid objects and ends, our invention consists in the novel details of construction, and in the combination, connection and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and then pointed out in the claims. I In the accompanying drawings showing an illustrative embodiment of the invention,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same. Figure 3 is an end elevation, the parts being adjusted with the rotary rod at approximate ly its maximum depth in the ground under working conditions. Figure 4 is a diagrammatic elevation showing the rod elevated from the ground.

In the drawings, in which like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures, 1 represents the front bar of the main frame, which frame is composed of front and rear bars 1 and 2 respectively, and the longitudi-v nal bars 3 suitably secured to the front and rear bars at proper intervals.

Mounted in suitable bearings on the main frame is the supporting wheel axle 4 that carries the supporting wheel 5 at one end of the frame. Mounted in other suitable bearin 's on the main frame is thedriving wheel ax e 6 which carries the driving wheel 7.

It will be observed from Figure 2 that the rear bar 2 of the main frame is extended at one end and to this extension is secured a .main drive sprocket 15, drive chains 16 and sprocket-s 17, the drive chain 16, of course,

passing over the idler sprockets 10 and 12 re over the ground since the draft rod 24 engages spectively.

Connected with the shaft 17 is a tumbling rod 18 that also connects to the rotary rod 19,

the connections between the tumbling rod 18, the rotary rod 19 and countershaft 17 being I ground. The instant this occurs there will be through universal joints 20 and 21.

Secured to the upper portion of the stand ards 47, which carry the bearing shoes 45 and the rotary rod 19, are pairs of arms 22. These arms extend downwardly and rearwa'rdly in pairs, each pair having their ends connected to a bolt 23 which also serves as a pivotal connection for the draft rod 24 secured thereto. It should be understood that there is a draft rod secured to each pair of extension bars 22 and these draft rods pass forwardly beneath the main frame of the machine and between guides'25 that are provided with pins or bolts 26 to prevent the rod 24 from dropping too low, the pins or bolts 26 passing through one of a series of apertures in the guides 25. Each draft rod 24 has an eye or other suitable means 27 by which the draft links 28 may be attached.

Pivotally secured at 44 to suitable brackets secured beneath and to the rear cross bar 2 are bars 29 which extend rearwardly and, when a single tiller wheel is used converge to their rear ends where they are fastened to the caster Wheel support 34'which is in turn fastened to the transverse short angle iron or bar 30 to which is also secured short longitudinal 'angle irons 31 to support the bearings 32 for the adjustment shaft 33. 36 is the caster or tiller wheel whose king bolt 35 is mounted in the caster wheel support 34 in the usual way.

37 is a seat post which carries a seat 38 on which the operator may rest.

Suitably secured rigidly with respect to the tiller frame is an areuaterack39 to cooperate with the latch of the adjusting lever 40 to hold the shaft 33 in any of a series of positions. Secured to the shaft 33 is a pair of adjusting arms 41 which are pivoted at 43 to' the connecting links 42, the ,latter being pivoted at 23 to the respective pair of extension bars 22. 44 designates the pivotal con nection of the bars 29 to the brackets of the rear bar 2.

The gooseneek standards 47 carry the usual building the framing whereas ordinarily in rod bearing shoes 45.

The arrows marked 46 in the drawings indicate the direction-of pulling power when 7 ,arrow 46. Since there are but. three points of contact with the ground, namely the contacts of the wheels 5, 7 and 36, it'will be obvious from Figure 4 that any pull in the direction of the arrow 46 will have a tendency to exert a slight lift on the forward end of thevehicle which will facilitate its passage the front bar 1 of the frame.

Now assume that it is desired to have the rod enter the ground the operator manipulates the lever 40 by releasing the latch to bring the shoes 4-5 intocontact with the a change as it were in the fulcrum or pivotal point of the machine. This being now shifted to the points of the shoes results in the entire weight of the machine being made available for forcing the shoes with the rod into the ground. Since the point of draft 23 is below the axis of the wheels 5 and 7 when the rotary rod is in engagement with the ground and asthe points of the draft 23 are to the rear of the rotary rod, it is obvious that a downward component of force is presentat 23 and a consequent upward component of force at the axis 46, thereby applying the draft'power with increased leverage. to the shoes 45.

Experiments niade with this machine have demonstrated that by the application of the draft through the rod 3 at a place located beneath the axis and to the rear of the rotary rod, the effect is the same as if several hundred pdunds added weight were supplied to the machine. Thus it will be observed by this arrangement we have provided for a considerable increase in the component of force necessary to sink the rod beneath the ground and in consequence we have produced a machine that can be worked in hard ground with greater facility than other machines now known. Attention is also called to the fact that the point of draft being located behind and below the axles not only gives a splendid leverage for penetration in the ground but as the rod goes deeper in the ground the point of draft behind and below the axle. comes closer to the ground. The leverage increases further which is a distinct help as the resistance increases because of the depth of the rod in the ground. Furthermore, by constructing the machine as shown andkdescribed we find that the framing of the machine can be built much lighter than the usual practice since the strains thereon are correspondingly reduced. We have found from actual practive that we can use inch anglelrons 1n particularly with respect to rotary rod weeders itis quite obvious that it may be used in connection with other kinds of agricultural 1. In a rotary rod weeder wherein is provided a main frame,- a rotary rod, a driving wheel, a supporting wheel and axles for said wheels join-nailed in hearings, on said frame; tliecombination with the aforesaid parts, of a draft appliance underlying the main frame and connected therewith at a place to the rear of the rotary rod and in a plane below said axles. i

2. In a rotary rod weeder wherein is provided a main frame, a rotary rod a driving wheel, a supporting wheel, axles for said wheels journalled in bearings on said frame; the combination with the aforesaid parts, of a draft appliance underlying the main frame and connected therewith at a place to the rear of the rotary rod and in a plane below said axles; a tiller frame, pivoted to said main frame; a wheel supporting the outer end of said tiller frame; and a lever and linkcOnnectiori between said frames.

3. In a rotary rod weeder wherein is provided-a main frame, a rotary rod, a driving wheel, a supporting wheel, axles for said wheels jonrnalled in hearings on said frame; the combination with the aforesaid parts, of a draft applianceunderlying the main frame and connected therewith at a place to the rear of the rotary rod and in a plane below said axles; a tiller frame pivoted to said main frame and extending rearwardly beyond the )lZlCQ where said draft appliance is connect-- pd; a wheel supporting the outer end of'said tiller frame; and a lever and link connection between said frames.

4. In rotary'rod weeders, standards carried thereby, a rotary rod journalled in hearings in said standards, driving and supporting wheels and axles ]OLlII1illld' in bearings on said main frame, power transmitting connections between said driving wheel and said rotary'rod, combined with means to apply draft force to the aforesaid tipthgi rear of said rotary ro'd and to the rear-,of and below 'the axes of said driving and supporting wheels.

,5. In rotary rod weeders, a main frame, standards carried thereby, a rotary rod journalled in bearings in said standards, driving and supporting wheels and axles journalled mitting'- inbearings on said main frame, power transeonnections between said driving el and said rotary rod, combined with a main frame,

means to apply draft force to the aforesaid structure at a place to the rear-of said rotary rod and to the rear of and below the axes of said driving and supporting wheels, said last named means comprising extension bars ex tending rear\\'ardly and downwardly of the main frame, and a draft rod pivoted to said extension bars and underlying said main frame, to the forward end of which draft red the draft power is applied.

6. In rotary rod wcedcrs, a main frame, standards carried thereby, a rotary rod journalled in bearings in said stamlards, driving and supporting wheels and axles journalled in hearings on said main frame, power transmitting connections between said driving wheel and said rotary rod, combined with means to apply draft force to the aforesaid structure at a place to the rear of said rotary rod and to the rear of and below the axes of said driving and supporting wheels, said last named means comprising extension bars extending rearwardly of the main frame, guides at the front of said main frame, a draft rod pivoted to said extension bars and underlying said main frame, said draft rod adapted to have the draft power connected to the forward end thereof, said draft rod passing hetwecn said guides for the purpose specified.

7. ln rotary rod weeders, a main frame, standards carried thereby, a rotary'rod journalled in hearings in said standards, driving and supporting wheels and axles journalled in hearings on said main frame, power t ansmitting connections between said driving wheel and said rotary rod, combined with means to apply draft force to the aforesaid structure ata place to the rear ofsaid rotary rod and to the rear of and below the axes of said driving andsupporting wheels, said last named means comprising extension bars ex tending rearwardly and downwardly on the. main frame, and a draft rod pivoted to said extensionbars a and underlying said main frame, to the forward end of which draft rod the draft power is applied, a tiller frame composed of bars hinged at their front to the rear of said main frame and extending rearwardly beyond said extension bars, a cross bar secured to said tiller frame bars, a caster wheel for supporting the free ends" of said tiller frame'bars, a: shaft journalledin bearmgs sustained'by said cross bar, an operating lever secured to said shaft, a rack and pawl device to hold'said lever,and a lever and link connection between StllCl' shaft and said extension bars of the main frame for the pur-' pose specified. v

.8. In rotary rod weeders having frames supported on wheels, beneath which frames and to the rear ofthe axes of the wheels a rotary rod is held; means for facilitating the sinking of the rodinto the ground, said means comprising a draft appliance connected to axles for supporting "and to the rear act at a point below the axes ofsaid wheels in a plane above said rotary rod and to the rear of both said axes and rods.

9. In rotary rod weeders having frames supported on wheels, beneath which frames and to the rear of the axes of the wheels a rotary rod is held; means for facilitating the sinking of the rod into the ground, said means comprising a draft appliance connected to act at a point below the axes of said wheels in a plane above saidrotary rod and to the rear of both said axes and rods; combined with means for holding the rod to a predetermined depth below the ground'surface.

10. In agricultural machines of the type wherein is provided a frame mounted on Wheels and at least one ground workin 'element carried by said frame; the com ination with the aforesaid parts of a draft appliance underlying the frame and connected therewith at a place to the rear of the ground working element and in a plane below the axes of the wheels.

11. In agricultural machines, a main frame, standards carried thereby, ground working implements mounted on said standards and adapted to penetrate the ground, wheels and axles for supporting said frame above the ground; combined with means to apply draft force to the aforesaid structure at a place to the rear of said ground working implements and to the rear of and below said axles.

12. In agricultural machines, a main frame, standards carried thereby, ground working implements mounted on said standards and adapted to penetrate the ground, wheels and said frame above the ground; combined with means to apply draft force to the aforesaid structure at aplace to the rear of said ground working implements and to the rear of and below said axles, said last named means comprising extension bars extending rearwardly and downwardly of the frame, and a draft rod pivoted to said extension bars and underlying said niain frame, to the forward end In agricultural machines, a main frame, standards carried thereby, ground Working implements mounted on said standards and adapted to penetrate the ground, wheels and axles for supporting said frame above the ground; combined with means to apply draft force to the aforesaid structure at a place to the rear of said ground working implements of and below said axles, said last named means comprising extension bars extending rearwardly of the main frame, guides at the front of said main frame, a draft rod pivoted to said extension bars and underlying said main frame, said draft rod adapted to have the draft bar connected to the forward end thereof, said draft rod passing between saidguides for the purposes specified.

14. In agricultural machines having frames of which draft rod the draftpower is applied.

' tending rearwardly supported on Wheels, beneath which said frames and to the rear. of the axles of the wheels a ground working implement is held; means for facilitating the sinking of the implement into the ground, said means comprising a draft appliance connected to act at a point below the axes of the wheels in a plane above said ground workingimplement and to the rear of both said axles and implement.

15. In agricultural machines having frames supported on wheels, beneath which said frames and to the rear of the axles of the wheels a ground working implement is held; means for facilitating the sinking of the implement into the ground, said means comprising a draft appliance connected to act at a point below the axes of the wheels in a plane above said ground working implement and to the rear of both said axes and implcment,combined with means for holding said implement to a predetermined depth below the ground surface.

16. In agricultural machines of the type wherein is provided a frame mounted on wheels and at least one ground working element carried by said frame; the combination with the aforesaid parts of a draft appliance underlying the frame and connected therewith only at a placein a plane below the axes of the wheels whereby. the draft forcewill continuously tend to assist the working element to enter and remain beneath the surface of the ground.

17. In agricultural machines, a main frame, standards 7 carried thereby, ground working implements mounted on said standards and adapted to penetrate the ground, wheels and axles for supporting said frame above the ground; combined wlth means to apply draft force to the aforesaid structure only at a place to the rear of and below said axles whereby the draft force will continuously tend to assist the working element to enter andremain beneath the surface of the ground. 7

18. In agricultural machines, a main frame, standards carried thereby, ground working implements mounted on said standards and adapted to penetrate the ground, wheels and axles for supporting said frame above the ground; combined with means to apply draft force to the aforesaid structure at a place to the rear of and below said axles, said last named means comprising extension bars exand downwardly of the frame, and a draft rod pivoted to said extension bars and underlying said main frame, to the forwardend of which draft rod the draft power is applied said draft rod being free of the frame whereby it may rise and fall beneath the frame with motion on its pivot.

19, In agricultural machines having frames supported on wheels, beneath which said frames and to the rear of the axles of the wheels 8. ground working implement is held;

I supported on wheels,

determined depth means for facilitating the sinking of the implement into the ground, said means comprising a draft appliance connected to act at a point below the axes of the Wheels in a plane above said ground working implement and to the rear of said implement.

20. In agricultural machineshaving frames beneath which said frames and to the rear of the axles of the wheels a ground working implement is held; means for facilitating the sinking of the implement into the ground, said means comprising a draft appliance connected to act at a point below the axes of the wheels in a plane above said ground working implement and to the rear of said implement, Combined with means for holding said implements to a prebelow the ground surface.

21. In agricultural machinesof the type wherein is provided a frame mounted on wheels and at least one ground working element carried by said frame; the combination with the aforesaid parts, of a draft appliance underlying the frame and pivotall connected therewithat a single place locate in a plane below the axes of the wheels and behind the axes of the wheels.

22. In agricultural machines of the type -wherein is provided a frame mounted on wheels and at least one ground working elethe combination with the aforesaid parts, of a draft appliance underlying the frame and pivotally connected therewith in a plane below the axes of the wheels and behind the axes of the wheels,

guides at the front of the frame for said draft appliance permitting up and down moveotal axis, and means for tiltin above the ground tension bars extendin draft rod adapted the forward end thereof, said draft ment of the front of said draft appliance pivotally on its pivotal axis. I 1

23. In agricultural machines of the type wherein is provided a frame mounted on wheels and at least one ground working element carried by said frame; the combination with the aforesaid parts, of a draft appliance underlying the frame and pivotally connected therewith in a plane below the axes of the wheels and behind the axes of the wheels, guides at the front of the framefor said draft appliance permitting up and down movement of said draft appliance pivotally on its pivsaid frame to raise and lower said working e ement with respect to the ground. 24. In agricultural machines, a main frame, standards carried thereby, ground working im lements mounted on said standards and a apted to penetrate the ground, wheels and axles for supporting said frame combined with means to apply draftforce to the aforesaid structure at a place to the rear of said ground working I implements and to the rear of and below 'said axles, said last named means comprisin exrearwar 1y o1 the main frame, guides at t e front of said main frame, a draft rod connected ,to said extension bars and underlying said main frame, said to have the draft bar connectedto rod'passing between said guides for the purposes specified.

RALEIGH M. LARGENT. LOUIS o. VAN PATTEN; 

